Raiders almost made a decision that would have changed the franchise in 2019
The Raiders had an opportunity to change the franchise in 2019, but balked.
The name many didn't expect was Clelin Ferrell, the first-round selection of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019.
Ferrell was a good player, but it seems that the then Raiders had different plans. Initially, the organization wanted edge rusher Nick Bosa. In fact, then-general manager Mike Mayock admitted on a recent podcast, Green Light with Chris Long, that the Raiders were extremely close to trading up from four to two to select Bosa.
"The whole Cle thing, Cle was my guy. The coaching staff really wanted a defensive lineman, we were picking number four that year, in 2019. I knew the first three picks were going to be Kyler Murray one, Bosa two to San Francisco, and Quinnen Williams three to the New York Jets. And then four, Chris, I’m telling you, the morning of the first round, I called John Lynch and tried to move up to two,” said Mayock.
As much as Mayock wanted Bosa, it appears that Bosa wanted to end up with the Raiders as well.
"Bosa was great, and he told me a variation of what he told (Steve) Keim. He was leaving our building after the top-30 visit and I said, ‘Nick we’re picking four, you’re not going to be there.’ He said, ‘Well then you need to move the f**k up don’t you?’" Mayock said.
But what did Mayock love about Bosa? Well, it started with his attitude.
“I loved him. He was a little bit chirpy, a little bit cocky. But in a good way. We did, we tried to move up to two but didn’t get him," he said.
So the Raiders ultimately selected Ferrell. Bosa developed into an elite presence, but Ferrell has not found the same success. The Raiders were so close, but so far.
